Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley speaks on Logan Evans debut, Connor Rozee form

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has backed skipper Connor Rozee to rediscover his best form and lauded the development of Logan Evans — the mid-season draftee who will debut 25 days after being selected.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 08: Ben Ainsworth of the Suns warms up during the 2024 AFL Round 13 match between the St Kilda Saints and the Gold Coast SUNS at Marvel Stadium on June 08, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says he is bullish about the future of rangy defender Logan Evans, who will play his first AFL game 24 days after getting picked in the mid-season draft.

Evans was the Power’s sole selection on May 29, having been at the club this year from Norwood under the SANFL rookie program.

The 18-year-old was overlooked at last year’s drafts after a season that included mixed form and the deaths of his grandpa, as well as Redlegs teammate Nick Lowden.

But he impressed Power coaches in training over summer and Hinkley said he deserved his early opportunity against Brisbane at home on Saturday.

“We were really quite excited about his pre-season,” Hinkley said.

“He had some challenges through his draft year … that were pretty hard for a young person to handle.

“He’s come in and trained and played really well.

“We’re really bullish about his future.

“He’s a Miles Bergman type of player, having the flexibility to play a bit taller, a bit smaller, on the ground.”

Port Adelaide mid-season draftee Logan Evans will make his debut in round 15. Picture: Matt Sampson

Norwood coach Jade Rawlings described Evans as a high-effort player with strong aerial ability.

“It’s quite the rapid rise but it’s all testament to his work ethic,” said ex-Hawthorn, North Melbourne and Western Bulldogs player Rawlings.

“He’ll go well, he’s ready for the opportunity.”

Evans is one of four inclusions for the seventh-placed Power, which sits just a win and a draw clear of the 13th-ranked Lions.

Ken Hinkley had backed Connor Rozee to build on his return from injury. Picture: Jason McCawley/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Goalsneak Willie Rioli returns from a calf injury, while key forward Jeremy Finlayson and ruckman Jordon Sweet have also been recalled.

Ruckman Ivan Soldo, defender Dylan Williams, substitute Quinton Narkle and small forward Francis Evans have been omitted.

Hinkley said Soldo had battled for form since missing five weeks due to knee surgery.

The coach expected captain Connor Rozee to be better for the run last week, his first game back from an ankle issue.

Rozee received external criticism after a quiet 14-disposal performance in the Power’s 22-point defeat to GWS.

“He’s had a bit going on — injury, baby, bye, come back,” Hinkley said.

“He’s played one game in about six weeks, give him a little bit of slack, he’s a pretty good player.”

PORT ADELAIDE’S KEY TRADE TARGETS FOR 2024 REVEALED

Small forwards have again become a recruiting priority for Port Adelaide.

Two years after signing West Coast premiership goalsneak Willie Rioli and Geelong discard Francis Evans during the same off-season, the Power holds interest in Gold Coast’s Ben Ainsworth and Collingwood’s Joe Richards.

Ainsworth is a restricted free agent, while Richards, the 48th pick in the 2022 national draft, is also without a contract for 2025.

Gold Coast has reportedly put a four-year offer on the table for Ainsworth, who has played 130 games for the Suns since being taken at pick 4 in 2016.

Could we see Ben Ainsworth in teal next season? Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Richards, plucked from country club Wangaratta, has featured three times at AFL this year.

Geelong’s All-Australian goalsneak Tyson Stengle is also weighing up his future, but the Power expects him to remain in Victoria.

Another All-Australian, Caleb Daniel, could be a name to watch if he left the Western Bulldogs.

While the 27-year-old is not on the Power’s radar right now, he may emerge as an option if Ainsworth and Richards re-sign or choose to go elsewhere.

Daniel, a South Adelaide product, played some small forward as a junior and returned to the position this season after falling out of favour in defence.

The 2016 premiership player is contracted to the Bulldogs for another two years.

Port wants to improve its small forward stocks after struggling to kick goals at times this campaign.

Joe Richards is one player the Power is interested in. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

The Power ranks seventh in the AFL for inside 50s per game (54.2), ninth for majors (12.2) and is 18th for accuracy.

Port’s small forward contingent includes Rioli, Sam Powell-Pepper, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Jed McEntee and Francis Evans, as well as untried duo Lachie Charleson and Tom Anastasopoulos.

Rioli has booted 17.12 from 11 matches this year, former backman Byrne-Jones has 17.12 from 13 games, defensive specialist McEntee has kicked 4.4 from 11 appearances and Evans has 2.2 in six clashes.

Powell-Pepper is sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Evans is the only one without a deal for next year and his future may come down to who the Power recruits.

Adelaide, which has Ned McHenry coming out of contract and is looking to get Izak Rankine more midfield time, is also expected to scour the market for a small forward.

Originally published as Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley speaks on Logan Evans debut, Connor Rozee form